Les Paul wanted two colors used on the guitar that would forever bear his name: gold (for its connection to all things fine) and black (because a player's hands would be easily visible against a black background); Les got the gold in 1952, but had to wait for the black. The Les Paul Custom (also known as the Black Beauty and the Fretless Wonder) was introduced in 1954 and featured elegant appointments like gold hardware, multiple binding, and an ebony fretboard. The '54 Custom was also the first solidbody Gibson guitar to use the ABR-1 bridge.

Body:
Top wood: Carved mahogany
Back wood: Solid mahogany
Binding: Multi-ply white/black on top and back
Available left-handed: Yes
Finish Colors: Ebony